Friendly Fires Bio

Friendly Fires is an English band from St Albans, Hertfordshire. They are currently signed to XL Recordings. Their self-titled debut album was released on 1 September 2008.

Friendly Fires met at St Albans School. Aged 14 they formed their first band, a post-hardcore outfit called First Day Back which existed until they began university. During this time lead singer Ed Macfarlane released his own music (under his own name) through the electronica label Skam, and Precinct Recordings. Upon leaving university they formed a new band inspired by dance music, "lush shoegaze melodies", and classic pop songwriting. The name Friendly Fires originates from the opening track of the Section 25 LP Always Now. The band consider German techno label Kompakt, Carl Craig and Prince to be their greatest influences.

In late 2007, they became the first unsigned band to appear on Channel 4's Transmission programme. Their single Paris achieved 'Single of The Week' in the Guardian and NME newspapers, and also on Zane Lowe's Radio 1 show. They have toured extensively through the UK, Europe, Japan, Canada and the USA. In May 2008 their song On Board was featured in North American television commercials for Nintendo's Wii Fit. On Board is also featured in the trailer for the upcoming PlayStation 3 game Gran Turismo 5.